They are reporting on the FAN that it is a groin injury. I'm not sure how they know given the secrecy that surrounds Penguins injuries, but it makes sense. He skated at practice and left early and he played a team high minutes on Tuesday, with no apparent injury.

jcgopens wrote:They are reporting on the FAN that it is a groin injury. I'm not sure how they know given the secrecy that surrounds Penguins injuries, but it makes sense. He skated at practice and left early and he played a team high minutes on Tuesday, with no apparent injury.

He was not practicing today

I think he's been tired and overused by season's end the past few years. I really hope they get a veteran to solidify the D so maybe they can cut down his minutes at even strength and aon the PK somewhat. This is a short season, and a nagging injury could dog a player all the way to the end, with this condensed schedule.

RxBandit66 wrote: I think he's been tired and overused by season's end the past few years. I really hope they get a veteran to solidify the D so maybe they can cut down his minutes at even strength and aon the PK somewhat. This is a short season, and a nagging injury could dog a player all the way to the end, with this condensed schedule.

Yeah, I like the idea of trading for another veteran d-man at some point as well. Niskanen as the 5th d-man and Bortuzzo and Despres as 6th/7th, plus Engelland in reserve is pretty solid. That would give Bortuzzo and Despres some playoff experience without throwing them into the deep end and would allow for better management of the minutes of Letang, Martin, and Orpik.

It's almost like we could use someone like that Michalek guy in Phoenix right now (not bashing the trade...I understand the circumstances that made it a good/necessary thing).

RxBandit66 wrote: I think he's been tired and overused by season's end the past few years. I really hope they get a veteran to solidify the D so maybe they can cut down his minutes at even strength and aon the PK somewhat. This is a short season, and a nagging injury could dog a player all the way to the end, with this condensed schedule.

Yeah, I like the idea of trading for another veteran d-man at some point as well. Niskanen as the 5th d-man and Bortuzzo and Despres as 6th/7th, plus Engelland in reserve is pretty solid. That would give Bortuzzo and Despres some playoff experience without throwing them into the deep end and would allow for better management of the minutes of Letang, Martin, and Orpik.

Yes and they'll need that depth, because with this short season, players will start to break down, especially older ones. That's why Despres and his young legs are so encouraging to this team's success right now. It gives GMRS so many options, as he could play top 4 minutes at a cheap rate for a while. But I agree with most on here that 2 rookies on D is probably one too many come playoff time. They'll need Engo and Bortuzzo for the depth and a veteran for stability.